Gauleiter's Conference-Łódź Ghetto 1941 (Photo)

[sylvieK4]

I recently found this photograph of SiPo, NSDAP and, I believe, SA personnel reportedly arriving at a Gauleiter's conference inside the Łódź Ghetto. The photo itself is from the collection of color slides taken by the Austrian accountant, Walter Genewein and carries the following caption:

"Litzmannstadt-getto: Gauleiter tagung"

It is dated 1941.

First of all, can anyone identify any of the men in the picture? It certainly appears to have been taken inside the Łódź ghetto, as there is a Jewish Policeman in the frame. (He can be seen facing the camera and wearing the distinctive kepi cap at the left of the photograph, beside the uniformed SiPo man).

And, secondly, does anyone have any further information about the conference itself? What dates did it take place? Who attended? What was on the agenda?

All information is welcome. Thank you.

From: http://www.ushmm.org/

[Michael Miller]

The Gauleiter is Arthur Greiser. The Ghetto seems a strange place for a Gauleiter conference, but anything's possible.

~ Mike

[sylvieK4]

Thanks, Mike. I assume it must have been held in the Baluter Renek part of the Lodz Ghetto. This area was generally sealed off to unauthorized entry - German or Jewish - and was the location of many of the Ghetto's central offices. It was under constant guard by both German and Jewish Police forces.

When Heinrich Himmler paid his brief visit to the ghetto (recorded in another of Genewein's color slides), he stopped in the Baluter Renek.

[sylvieK4]

Two more images reportedly from the same 1941 event. Franz X. Schwarz, et. al.

From: http://www.ushmm.org/

[Phil Nix]

Re Picture Nr 2 who is the SS Standartenführer in the car
Phil Nix

[Mark Costa]

in the photos marked Schwarz-a and b above, the Befehlsleiter on the right is Deputy Gauleiter Kurt Schmalz --note the deputy gauleiter armband.

Mark Costa

[sylvieK4]

Excuse the poor quality of the picture below. It is an enlargement from a much smaller image and appears to depict participants of the Gauleiter's conference - including F.X Schwarz and Artur Greiser - meeting with the Jewish leader of the Lodz Ghetto, Mordechai "Chaim" Rumkowski (white hair, far left).


(Source: Yad Vashem)

[Michal78]

Better quality...

[J. Duncan]

That's a very interesting photo! I had no idea that Franz xaver Schwartz ever visited a Ghetto.

[sylvieK4]

Thanks for the clearer image, goofy! Where did you find it?

Hi, J. Duncan! About FX Schwarz, et. al.: I don't believe any of the meeting participants actually toured the ghetto interior. The meeting was held in a secure area on the ghetto periphery where - apart from Rumkowski and the occasional Jewish policeman - the Germans had no contact with the Jewish residents. It is interesting to note that during Himmler's brief visit to the ghetto, he did briefly tour one factory, but that factory was situated only yards from the secure "Baluty Ring" area where he and his entourage were photographed with Rumkowski. (See: http://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic.php?f=38&t=64773 ) Of course it did happen, but as a general rule, Germans did not enter the interior of the Lodz Ghetto. Even the KRIPO station in the ghetto was just inside the secure fence and did not require officers to venture too far. German civilian buyers, and ORPO inspectors routinely visited ghetto factories, but very few German dignitaries set foot past the most secure areas.

[Michal78]

That's a very interesting photo! I had no idea that Franz xaver Schwartz ever visited a Ghetto.

He even visited KL Dachau...
Michal

[J. Duncan]

I always assumed Schwartz was cloistered away in some Brown House office but I'm learning here that he was more active in his travels. Thanks Michal for posting your pictures and Sylvie for your commentary.

[wm]

he stopped in the Baluter Renek.

Sorry for nitpicking, but the name was Bałucki Rynek or Baluter Ring.

[sylvieK4]

No problem, wm. Nitpicking is often clarity's best friend - even on a > 4 year-old post! (N.B. The same area is also referred to as the "Baluty Ring", depending on the source.)

[ttvon]

Hi,
Who is the SA-Standartenführer at the right of Arthur Greiser in the first pic (Gauleiters-a.jpg)?

ttvon